National Student Exchange gives students new insight

2/20/2007 8:00:00 AM

Studying abroad is beyond the budget of some University students. National Student Exchange, a program coordinated within the University's transfer center, offers an alternative for students who wish to gain a similar experience for a fraction of the cost. NSE allows students to choose from 190 colleges in the United States, Puerto Rico and Guam for semester and year-long exchange programs. Travel and housing expenses, in-state tuition and a $115 application fee are the only costs for the student.

"It's a really great way for students to connect with different cultures and communities," says Jeri Russell, transfer center Coordinator. "I like to challenge students to do something completely different than what they know."

National Student Exchange has been an option for students nationally for 38 years and has been working with the University for more than 30 years. Seven University students are currently attending another school through NSE. Some of their destinations include Oregon, Illinois, New York, California and Hawaii.

"We have an even exchange program," Russell says. "That means that for every student that leaves, we have one that comes here."

Kyle Eisenreich, a junior who studied at Stony Brook University in Long Island through NSE said his experience helped broaden his view of his world.

"Before I left, Nevada was all that I knew," Eisenreich said. "It was great to experience a different campus with a different culture without having to leave the country."

Eisenreich said he would recommend studying with NSE to anyone.

"It's sad that a lot of people don't know about [the program]," Eisenreich said.

Russell says out-of-state students decide to study at the University for a variety of reasons.

"We had an engineering student from another university come here because we offer a different background in engineering," Russell says. "We have also had students come here just to test it out."

Students are required to meet with their advisor to determine which classes they will take at their host school before they leave. All classes are required to be approved by the advisor and the transfer center to ensure the classes will transfer to fulfill University requirements.

"This is just to make sure there are no surprises when the students get back," Russell says.

Applications for exchanges during the Fall and Spring semesters are due by Feb. 28. Each completed application must include a written recommendation from the student's advisor, an unofficial copy of the student's University transcript, a check or money order for the $115 application fee and a form explaining any special financial or health circumstances. The program is only available for Nevada residents.